Friday, May 27, 2011

Tomorrow, May 28th, marks the 35 year anniversary of the day in which the movie "Dazed and Confused" takes place. Now for those of you who have never seen this movie, I'll bless you with a short synopsis: It is a coming of age story that revolves around a few separate groups of friends (ranging from incoming high school freshman to super senior), whose lives on this one night (the last day of school in '76) become intertwined throughout a series of hazing events, pot smoking, deep discussion and partying.

There is no need to further summarize the plot, themes, etc. because chances are if you're a fan of this blog, this is one of you're favorite movies as well. Last night, while indulging in some adult beverages on my friends porch, the topic of this movie came up in conversation when it was noted that this Saturday was "Dazed Day". This movie brings up great memories for me. It just has this unmistakably likability to it, and there are moments in it that everyone can relate to. There was a time in my life where I fell asleep to this movie on-and-off for months on end and I can pretty much quote it verbatim.

So to everyone out there that is still young enough to drink in the woods and not get mocked by police officers, I encourage you to take advantage of your youth and celebrate "Dazed Day". Grab a couple of sixers, shoot some pool, rock bell bottom jeans, paddle a freshman, talk about the design of the dollar bill, rock out to "Free Ride", slow dance to "Love Hurts", throw a kegger up at the moon tower, make out with an older chick, stay out past curfew and when it's all said and done, drive to a Ticketmaster outlet and pick up some Aerosmith tickets.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Last night we witnessed a once in a generation basketball comeback when the Dallas Mavericks overcame a 15 point deficit, with 5 minutes remaining, to stun the Chokelahoma City Thunder on their home court. Dirk Nowitzki, or as I like to call him, Larry Legend 2.0, continued his dominance by adding to his legacy with another 40 point performance, essentially sticking a proverbial sword through the hearts of the Thunder players. As the series stands now, Dallas needs to win just one of the remaining 3 games (two of which are at home) to advance to their second N.B.A. Finals.

In all likelihood, a return to the Finals would mean a rematch of their '06 duel with the Miami Heat. It only took seven months, but the MoHeato's are finally playing to the level many predicted they would after "The Decision" last July. A rejuvenated and healthy Udonis Haslem has done a great job of neutralizing the benches in the Chicago series, where Miami sits with a comfortable 2-1 lead heading into tonight's game at American Airlines arena. Miami is 7-0 at home this postseason, and it would appear that their embarrassing Fan Up promotions are finally starting to pay off.

The most surprising turn of events in the Conference Finals has been Bosh Spice's offensive Resurrection. Here is a player who in a 10 day window, went from admitting that he was scared to play in Boston, to dropping 34 points on a front-court heavy Bulls team. Bosh is showing glimpses of his days with the Toronto Rapture's, when he could essentially score at will. If you're a Heat fan you'd still like to see him up his rebounding numbers, but a few more games like Game 3 and a trip to the Finals would go a long way in justifying that max contract.

No amount of championships in the world will ever justify what took place at the "Heat Welcome Party" last July

To stick with today's hoops theme, I present you with three of my favorite basketball related celebrity lookalikes. To my knowledge, these comparisons have never been made before, but then again in the age of the internet- all bets are off.

Despite the Russell Westbrook lookalike being my favorite of the three, I put it last so I could touch on what has become one of the most interesting storylines of this postseason. In the five weeks since the playoffs started, no player has been more polarizing to watch and critique than Westbrook. In today's in-your-face, over the top, 24/7, Tweet fulled, looping Sportscenter media-sphere, no player has received a wider variety of negative and positive analysis. At times he has been referred to as "D Rose South", at other times "Russell WestBRICK".

So far in these playoffs Russell Westbrook has experienced the highest of highs, like when he become the first player since Scottie Pippen in '92 to record a triple-double in a Game 7. But he has also seen the lowest of lows; getting benched for the entire fourth quarter in a pivotal game 2 in Dallas, a game that his team would go on to win without him. Prompting the media and fans alike to question his worth, decision making and skill level.

We truly are living in a time where with the over-saturation of media, you really are only as good as your last game. A point that Rookie of the Year, Blake Griffin, admirably tweeted yesterday afternoon in regards to the constant scrutiny of Westbrook.
Putting all the turnovers and questionable decision making aside, Russell Westbrook is still a 22 year old All-Star that every team in the league would do anything to have. A guy who can hang 40 on you if you're not careful, and a guy who's not afraid to take and make the last shot. Just watch the tape from that epic 3-OT, Game 4 victory in round 2 over Memphis, in which he dropped a 40-5-5 and was the only player that seemed to have any legs left during that last overtime. We've seen what he is capable of, and although this may not be the year the Thunder win it all, they will most certainly be back in the mix for years to come.

And besides, I feel it is my journalistic duty to stick up for any athlete that used to rock hair similar to my '08 mohawk.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

(ESPN) Former NBA player Robert "Tractor" Traylor was found dead Wednesday on the bedroom floor of his oceanfront apartment in San Juan, Puerto Rico, police said. Traylor had been missing for three days before friends went to visit him and found his body, according to police and Vaqueros de Bayamon, his team in Puerto Rico. He apparently had a heart attack, the team and police said.Today truly is a sad day to be a nostalgic, 1990's college hoops fan. Robert "Tractor" Traylor, the 6'8 300+lb power forward, who starred for the University of Michigan for four season in the mid 90's, died today of a heart attack at his home in Puerto Rico. In his prime he led the Wolverines to a 1997 NIT Championship, and was MVP of the Big 10 tournament as a senior in '98. Known for his thunderous dunks, and equator-esq. waist size; Traylor quickly became a fan favorite on the college hoops scene.

He was drafted 6th overall in the 1998 draft by the Dallas Mavericks, but was immediately traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Dirk Nowitzki and Pat Garrity. Garrity would later go on to be used as a trade chip in a deal that brought Steve Nash to the Mav's for Martin Muuersepp, Bubba Wells and a first round pick. That Traylor trade goes down in history as one of the worst draft day deals of all time, on par with the Hornets trading Kobe Bryant for Vlade Divac. To continue with this tangent, but stick with the theme of disastrous draft day rookie deals, the Timberwolves have twice traded future, recurring All-Stars for fifty cents on the dollar- Ray Allen for Marbury in '96, and Brandon Roy for Randy Foye in '06.

Back to the Traylor, I'd like to say I don't know why his collegiate success never translated to the N.B.A. (career 4.8 ppg), but that would be a boldface lie. In fact, the demise of Traylor's career could have been predicted by anyone familiar with his work habits and life (eating) choices. Much like what Sean May and Mike Sweetney and would go on to find out in the decade following, there really isn't a niche for undersized, overweight power forwards in the N.B.A.

With that being said, it's still sad to see someone pass who you used to avidly root for, emulate on the court, and worship in video games. This loss brought back the same feelings I felt a few years back when Eddie Griffin died in fiery car wreck. Griffin, with the exception of Jay Williams and Kevin Durant, was the best college freshman I had ever seen lance up a pair of shoes. He averaged 18 points, 11 boards and 4.4 block per game, and dominated the paint defensively for a mediocre Seton Hall team better than anyone I had ever seen before. Eddie would go on to be forever immortalized by his rankings and ability in the video game "NBA Live 2003". The second year Griffin was equipped with a 3 point, dunk and block icon, and was eons better than the likes of then superstars Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett and Michael Finley. Griffin, along with Patrick Ewing, were my inspirations for wearing #33 throughout high school.